Please tell me you’re using a vitamin C serum…
At the risk of sounding like a broken record (since I’m assuming you’re old enough to know what that means—my 11-year-old son doesn’t), if you’re not using a vitamin C serum you’re not getting the most out of your anti-aging skincare routine. Even more, you’re not protecting your skin from environmental damage that contributes to skin aging.
I know these products can be expensive, but a high-quality vitamin C serum is one of the best investments you can make in the health and appearance of your skin—even if that means making the rest of your routine more budget-friendly. But I’m happy to report that I’ve come across a super-effective antioxidant serum that falls into that sweet spot between super-expensive and too-good-to-be-true—and I actually think it has a leg-up on its pricier counterparts…
Meet Protocol Lab’s Vitamin C Superserum. Featuring a 10% concentration of L-ascorbic acid (the most potent form of vitamin C), 3% magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (an extremely stable form of vitamin C) and 0.9% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a fat-soluble form of vitamin C that does a great job at penetrating the skin), this serum delivers the benefits of vitamin C in three different ways.
To refresh your memory, these benefits include protection against skin-damaging free radicals generated by pollution and UV light (which your sunscreen probably isn’t doing anything about), increased collagen production for smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles, improvement in uneven skin tone and an overall brighter, more radiant complexion.
Yet these major upsides sometimes come along with a hitch… Vitamin C serums are notoriously unstable, and exposure to light and air reduces their effectiveness. (I’ve always had an issue with top-of-the-line antioxidant serums that come in a bottle with a dropper since this seems to tempt the product-degradation gods.) Another advantage of Protocol is the unique packaging—which makes it virtually impossible for the serum to come in contact with the air before it’s in your palm and about to be put on your face. Beyond the air-tight pump and opaque inner lining, there’s also a little cap for the nozzle for an extra layer of serum protection.
If I had no idea about the Superserum’s price, I’d definitely bet it costs more than $100. But alas, it rings in at a cool $72—which is well within my comfort zone, and hopefully yours, too.
Protocol Lab Vitamin C Superserum
EWG/Skin Deep® Score: 4 (via the “Build Your Own Report” tool)
